Connect with Nature- MINDFULNESS IN MOTHERHOOD
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.
This captures the essence of mindfulness: bringing our attention to the present moment – the only moment we can ever be sure of.
Plus, at least one study has shown that mindfulness training can help reduce symptoms of postpartum depression. According to Gannon, meditation can also help new mothers navigate feelings of uncertainty, cope with the stress of parenting, and even increase lactogenesis (a fancy word for “produce milk”) in mothers who are breastfeeding.
Both mindfulness and nature help bring a sense of calm to you when you need it most.
“Nature meditation can help you cultivate a loving connection with yourself, the earth, and the entire web of life,” according to Buddhist meditation teacher Mark Coleman of Awake in the Wild. Through techniques like sights, sounds, and stories, we can help our children harness the calming aspects of nature during bedtime, dinnertime, car rides, and other moments throughout their day.
The best part is that nature meditation does not always have to be performed outdoors; from visualizations to nature sound apps, there are so many ways to experience mindfulness using nature even from inside the comfort of your home.
A simple activity combines meditation, breathing techniques and paying attention to the present moment to help you notice the way you think, feel and act.- though it has so many benefits.
Walking through nature with the family can get you all to explore the beauty of nature. Your could collect and examine autumn leaves, or feel the sand beneath the toes during a walk on the beach- really taking note of the trees shape, type, size etc forces your brain to stop and be present rather than drifting off into 1000 thoughts. After taking the walk and truly being present with the energy in nature brings you back lighter/freer and less anxious/stressed.
3 other ideas from soul and spirit magazine:
Find your ‘nature sit spot’
Find a quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed for 20-30 minutes. Remain still. What can you see in front of you? What can you see in your peripheral vision? What can you hear? What can you feel on your skin? What can you smell? Bring your awareness to each of your senses in turn. What do you notice over 20-30 minutes? How did things change? Come back and repeat the exercise at different times, on different days, at different times of year. Did you notice any changes? Any regular animals visiting?
Just breathe
Bring your attention to your breathing. Where do you feel the air coming in and out of your body? Rest your awareness there. Is your mind wandering? Just kindly bring it back to your breathing. Remind yourself that trees release the oxygen we inhale and absorb the carbon dioxide we exhale. As we breathe, we are borrowing air before returning it to nature.
Touch the earth
Stand, sit or lie in your garden, in a forest, in the park, by the sea or up a mountain. Bring your awareness to the parts of your body which are in contact with the ground. What do they feel like? Can you feel the ground supporting you? How does it make you feel?